Fresh City Life Offers A Host Of Free Events To Expand Your Cultural Horizons
by Dawn E. Spelke

Denver Public Library offers another round of free, exciting and inspiring adult cultural programs this month and next. From fashion and film to cooking and choruses, this version of Fresh City Life has a spectrum of enticing choices to broaden your cultural outlook.

First off, DPL has joined forces with two of Denver’s fashion icons, The Fabric Lab and Denver Fabrics, to create Frock Out Denver – Independent Designers Challenge, a celebration of Denver’s
vibrant fashion scene, to be held Dec. 6, 8-9p.m. at the Central library.

Twelve of Denver’s most talented designers have been busy for three months creating fashions for this runway show competition – Fresh City Life’s first annual fund raising event. Frock Out Denver is a chance to see some of the beautiful and provocative fashion designs that are coming out of the Denver area. This outrageous, and free, event will culminate with the awarding of the Grand Prize to the designer chosen by Frock Out judges. Buy tickets ($10 suggested donation) starting Mon., Nov. 5, at the Central Library, Denver Fabrics and The Fabric Lab. Info: call 720-865-1206.

Get a taste of what’s to come with the Frock Out Designer Exhibit, Nov. 5-Dec. 5, at Central library. Genius and skill abounds in this teaser exhibit highlighting the 12 designers showcased in the Dec. 6 Frock Out Denver fashion show. Each designer has created a special holiday party dress that represents his or her style and creativity.

If films are more to your liking, you can choose from a couple of film series, to be aired in the Central library Conference Center. The first is Backstory: Theatre on Film, including five movies about theatre, shown Tuesdays, 6:30-9p.m. Nov. 6, Noises Off! (1992); 13, Moon Over Broadway (1997); 20, Vanya on 42nd Street (1994); 27, Waiting for Guffman (1996); and Stage Door (1937).

Film Central offers a group of Thanksgiving Films on Wednesdays in November at 2p.m., featuring somewhat troubled families who find reconciliation: Nov. 7, Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987); 14, Home for the Holidays; and 28, Pieces of April (2003). December films include: Dec. 5, Hanging Up (2000); and 12, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).

Theatre and book buffs will enjoy a series of events, such as two classics to be explored at the Jones Theatre, Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex, 1050 13th St.: Preserving the Memory of Anne, on Nov. 5, 7p.m. – learn about plans to recreate Anne Frank’s “Secret Annex” on stage, as well as hear from a speaker who survived Nazi Germany; and Pride and Prejudice: Putting It Together – a behind-the-scenes look at technical secrets on how this period piece was brought alive on the stage, on Nov. 11, 2p.m.

Other topics include Maiden Tribute: The Life of W.T. Stead on Nov. 7, Capt. Jepp and the Little Black Book on Nov. 8, Molly Brown – Stage Whispers on Nov. 10 and A Grateful Heart with Janice Hoffman on Nov. 19. For details and locations, visit the web site: denverlibrary.org.

Creampuffs more your style? The Central library, with help from Whole Foods, will offer weekly cooking demos, beginning with Croquembouche – A Creampuff Sculpture, Nov. 10 at 10:30a.m. Chef Shellie Kark creates a towering cake of cream puffs. Other demos include: Italian Timpani, Nov. 17, with Pulcinella Ristorante’s star chef, Antonio Race; The French Garde Manger – Blue Cheese and Grapes in Pistachios, Nov. 24, with talented local chef Joseph Abeyta; and Chocolate Truffles, Dec. 8, with chef Joseph Abeyta.

Keeping it the kitchen, you can explore great teas in Winter Teas for Mughuggers on Nov. 6, 6-7p.m., at Ross-Broadway branch library with tea specialist Judy Williams. Or create Gifts From the Kitchen with Susan Evans at the Central library on Nov. 24, 2-3:30p.m. Susan also offers Gifts from the Garden on Nov. 17, 2p.m. at the Central library.

For more hands-on activities, try Beginning Knitting on Monday evenings, beginning Nov. 5, at the Central library, or try a Holiday Felting Workshop – Intermediate Knitting, at the Ross-Cherry Creek branch on Tuesdays, Nov. 6-27, at 6:30p.m.

Other workshops include Pop Up Cards, Nov. 18, 2-3:30p.m. at Central library; Fused Glass, learn to make fused glass art pendants, Nov. 8, Central library; Needle Felting, offered 6p.m. Nov. 14 at Schlessman branch and Nov. 15 at Ross-University Hills branch; and Cathedral Handmade Books, Dec. 2 at 2p.m. at Central library and Dec. 5, 6p.m. at the Smiley branch.

With Hand Gestures, you can learn about Creating a Scene – Mixed Media Journaling, with Judith Cassel-Mamet on Sundays, Dec. 2 & 9, 2-4p.m. at the Central library. Or attend What Does Your Handwriting Say About You? on Mon., Nov. 5, 6:30-7:30p.m. at Ross-Broadway branch, to find out what the flourishes in your signature say about you.

Music lovers can celebrate the season with the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus on Sat., Dec. 1, from 2-3p.m. at Central library’s Schlessman Hall. Their gift for the holidays, DGMC will life their voices in song and spirit. Touching ears and hearts alike, the DGMC and its messages of acceptance and pride continue to be in large demand with diverse audiences.

Songbird Marta Burton debuts her latest collections of songs to warm up the season with Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Winter Duets with Marta Burton on Sun., Dec. 9, 3-4p.m. at Central library. Partnering with her fiancé, Jeffrey Hooton, Marta’s repertoire blends traditional and contemporary tunes with an ear for nostalgia, romance and a bit of humor.

For complete listings, call the Central library at 720-865-1111 or visit the web site: denverlibrary.org